Trains Suspension Criticised

Trains Suspension Criticised

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on Monday criticised the govtís decision to suspend a number of train services, saying that the decision was a bid to increase the misery of people.

According to a press statement, the HRCP said the decision to discontinue train services on several routes was a matter of great concern for the people, especially those who still found travel by train convenient and affordable and the large number of railway employees who might be rendered jobless. The importance of the issue not only merited deliberations by the entire cabinet at the highest level, but also consultation with the affectees, the commission added.

The HRCP said the reason cited for discontinuing the train services, unavailability of locomotives, was baseless as shortage of locomotives could not occur overnight and ending train routes was certainly not the only way to address that. The decision was bound to affect people and it also had grave implications for the state, the statement added. The commission demanded the government review the decision.